Woodbridge man convicted of drugging girls and then sexually assaulting them

WOODBRIDGE, VA – A case involving the drugging, sexual abuse and rape of underage girls resulted in a Woodbridge man receiving six life sentences and a mandatory 35-year prison term.

A judge sentenced 36-year-old Balmore Ortiz Guardado of Woodbridge to six life sentences and 215 years in prison, with 179 years suspended, according to the Prince William County District Attorney’s Office. Regular sentencing guidelines call for a sentence between 35 and 86 years, but the judge opted for a harsher sentence due to “the violence of the crimes, the number of victims and the impact on the victims, the use of a firearm and the recommendation of the (prosecutor’s office).” He was required to register on the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry.

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“This was a very complex and difficult case because there were so many allegations and very little evidence to corroborate what the victims told us due to delayed reporting,” Prince William County District Attorney Amy Ashworth said in a statement. “However, thanks to the hard work of the law enforcement officers who investigated the case, multiple search warrants and digital forensic investigative work, we were able to piece together the evidence and paint a picture of the horrific abuse these minors suffered.”

The crimes against the underage girls, aged between 15 and 16, occurred between late 2021 and 2022. Prosecutors say Ortiz Guardado provided the victims with drugs, including Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, Xanax and alcohol. The drugs contributed to the sexual abuse and rape of the victims, who were either incapacitated or faced a threat of a weapon.

Prince William County Police arrested Ortiz Guardado in January 2023. He pleaded guilty in January 2024 to 14 counts: three counts of rape, three counts of sexual penetration with objects, seven counts of distribution of Schedule I or II substances to a minor, and one count of possession of child pornography.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center provides information on reporting and dealing with sexual abuse. The website also provides educational materials and tips on preventing sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24-hour hotline for people with substance abuse issues at 1-800-662-4357.